Betty (Part 10)

Chapter Ten

Betty

Paul led her into their next class. It was history with Mrs. Brooks. The teacher began by announcing that today they were going to talk about slavery. �What does slavery make you think of?� she asked. She got the usual answer about slavery of Africans in the U.S. and slavery in the ancient world. �What about slavery in the modern world?� she asked.

Most of the students didn’t know. She continued by asking them what it meant to be a slave. Then she called on Jennifer. �Jennifer, come up to the front of the room and tell the class what you think it means to be a slave.�

At first Jennifer didn’t know what to say. She knew Mrs. Brooks had a reason in calling her. Jennifer made her way to front replaying the question in her head each step of the way. What does it mean to be a slave?

Jennifer couldn’t decide if she wanted a book definition of a modern slave or a more first person definition. She gave in and let her instincts take over. She let the definition come from her heart rather than her mind.

�To be a slave is to be secure. To know that someone will always show you the way. To know that someone out there cares enough about you to take care of you and in return you do what you can to make them happy and making them happy in return makes you that much happier. To know you will never be alone. To set yourself free from the world and live in your own. To be free, that’s what it means to be a slave.�

She didn’t know if that was what the teacher had been hoping for but she hadn’t given that definition for her. She had said it for Paul. She wanted Paul to know how she truly felt and that was her perfect chance to do so without anyone other than them really know what she was talking about.

Paul was stunned. He blinked back tears and tried not to let anyone see how moved he was. The rest of the class was divided. There was a hushed silence and then whispers. The girls were mostly smiling and then one of them started to applaud. The other girls soon joined in and then the boys, some of whom clearly had no idea what they were applauding.

Mrs. Brooks cleared her throat and then said, �Alright boys and girls, calm down.� She turned to Jennifer and said, �That wasn’t quite what I had in mind but it was OK.� She turned to another girl and told her to come up and try.

When Jennifer had returned to her seat next to Paul, he reached out and squeezed her hand.

She was glad Paul had gotten the message. She leaned over so she could whisper into Paul’s ear without being heard. She waited until the teacher had her back turned. �I meant every word. I’m yours.� She finally had come to terms with it in her mind. She needed Paul.

Paul was once again deeply touched. He started to let his mind drift. The idea of Jennifer in chains, kneeling at his feet, was wonderful. He turned to look at her. She had accepted that he was truly her Master. There were many things he wanted to try but, as the teacher droned on, he realized that he couldn’t just be a king, he also had to deal with getting through school.

She didn’t even hear what the next girl’s definition was but she knew it had more than likely been what the teacher was looking for. �Whose house are we staying at tonight, your dad’s or mine?� She didn’t know what Paul wanted to do.